Can UCT be allowed to die?

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) underwent significant changes under Vice Chancellor William Makgoba, leading to a decline in academic standards. Departments were cut, and 'affirmative' appointments were made, often to individuals lacking administrative ability. Foreign language teaching, including Latin, Greek, and French, was phased out, and the study of Indian languages was discontinued. The medical school lost leading Indian academics, and the school of architecture shriveled, risking professional recognition. Academics were fearful of speaking out, and many tried to leave. The university's historic clientele, white and Indian students, decamped for other universities, replaced by African students from disadvantaged backgrounds who often struggled with basic literacy and study habits. Despite some exceptions, failure rates soared, and standards plummeted. The university spent heavily on 'transformation' initiatives and symbolic events, but donations from alumni dried up, leaving UKZN nearly R2 billion in debt by 2015. Dr. Albert van Jaarsveld took over as Vice Chancellor in 2015, attempting to rescue the institution.